U.S. patent application number 11/251889 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for plasma display panel for reducing noise.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jung-Suk Song.
Application Number | 20060082304 11/251889 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36180082 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060082304 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Song; Jung-Suk |
April 20, 2006 |
Plasma display panel for reducing noise
Abstract
A plasma display panel including first and second substrates
facing each other and including an image display area and a
non-display area arranged outside of the image display area, a
plurality of discharge electrodes arranged in the image display
area to generate a discharge in a discharge space between the first
substrate and the second substrate, and a barrier rib including
main barrier ribs arranged in the image display area and
partitioning the discharge space and vertically and horizontally
symmetric dummy barrier ribs arranged in the non-display area and
coupled with the main barrier ribs.
Inventors: |
Song; Jung-Suk; (Suwon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGUIREWOODS, LLP
1750 TYSONS BLVD
SUITE 1800
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
36180082 |
Appl. No.: |
11/251889 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
313/582 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01J 11/12 20130101;
H01J 2211/368 20130101; H01J 2211/365 20130101; H01J 11/36
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
313/582 |
International
Class: |
H01J 17/49 20060101
H01J017/49 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 19, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0083501 |
Claims
1. A plasma display panel (PDP), comprising: a first substrate and
a second substrate facing each other and including an image display
area and a non-display area arranged outside of the image display
area; a plurality of discharge electrodes arranged in the image
display area to generate a discharge in a discharge space between
the first substrate and the second substrate; and a barrier rib
comprising main barrier ribs arranged in the image display area and
partitioning the discharge space and dummy barrier ribs arranged in
the non-display area and coupled with the main barrier ribs,
wherein the dummy barrier ribs are symmetric vertically and
horizontally.
2. The PDP of claim 1, wherein the dummy barrier ribs comprise:
connection barrier ribs integrally coupled with the main barrier
ribs, and reinforcement barrier ribs arranged along edges of the
connection barrier ribs.
3. The PDP of claim 2, wherein the connection barrier ribs
comprise: straight line portions comprising first straight line
portions and second straight line portions crossing each other, and
openings formed between the first straight line portions and the
second straight line portions.
4. The PDP of claim 3, wherein each straight line portion comprises
discontinuous or continuous straight lines.
5. The PDP of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement barrier ribs
protrude integrally from the edges of the connection barrier
ribs.
6. The PDP of claim 5, wherein ends of the reinforcement barrier
ribs are separated by predetermined intervals from each other.
7. The PDP of claim 5, wherein the reinforcement barrier ribs
comprise a substantially rectangular pillar-like shape.
8. The PDP of claim 5, wherein the reinforcement barrier ribs
protrude from the edges of the connection barrier ribs by more than
twice a width of the reinforcement barrier ribs.
9. The PDP of claim 1, wherein the dummy barrier ribs comprise
connection barrier ribs integrally coupled with the main barrier
ribs and reinforcement barrier ribs protruding from edges of the
connection barrier ribs, and wherein the connection barrier ribs
are symmetrical to each other. 10. The PDP of claim 9, wherein ends
of the reinforcement barrier ribs are separated by predetermined
intervals from each other. 11. The PDP of claim 10, wherein the
reinforcement barrier ribs are vertically and horizontally
symmetric.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0083501, filed on Oct. 19,
2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as
if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a plasma display panel
(PDP), and more particularly, to barrier ribs of a PDP.
[0004] 1. Discussion of the Background
[0005] Generally, a plasma display panel (PDP) is a flat panel
display device that displays images using gas discharge. A
discharge gas is injected between two substrates including a
plurality of discharge electrodes, and phosphor layers are excited
by ultraviolet rays generated by the gas discharge.
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional PDP
100 disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 02-76603.
Referring to FIG. 1, the PDP 100 includes a rear substrate 101,
address electrodes 102 formed on the rear substrate 101, a first
dielectric layer 103 covering the address electrodes, and main
barrier ribs 104 formed on the first dielectric layer 103.
[0007] An end of at least one main barrier rib 104 is coupled to an
end of an adjacent main barrier rib 104 by a supporting barrier rib
105. The supporting barrier rib 105 may be lower than the main
barrier ribs 104 so that discharge gas may be more smoothly
exhausted from a sealed space. Red (R), green (G), and blue (B)
phosphor layers 106 are formed in discharge spaces partitioned by
the main barrier ribs 104 and the supporting barrier rib 105.
[0008] The rear substrate 101 is coupled to a front substrate 107,
thereby forming the sealed space. Pairs of first and second
discharge electrodes 108 and 109 are formed on the front substrate
107 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the address
electrodes 102. The first and second discharge electrodes 108 and
109 include bus electrodes 110. A black matrix layer 111 is
interposed between pairs of the first and second discharge
electrodes 108 and 109. A second dielectric layer 112 covers the
first and second discharge electrodes 108 and 109 and the black
matrix layer 111, and a protective layer 113 covers the second
dielectric layer 112.
[0009] In the conventional PDP 100, since the main barrier ribs 104
are coupled to the supporting barrier rib 105, it may be possible
to prevent ends of the main barrier ribs 104 from breaking during
manufacturing. Additionally, since discharge spaces are defined by
the supporting barrier rib 105, pixel cross-talk may be
prevented.
[0010] A barrier rib may be fabricated using sand blast, press, or
photosensitive methods. After forming a desired pattern, the
barrier rib is baked at about 450.degree. C. or higher to burn
impurities in the barrier rib's raw material and unnecessary
binders, as well as to further solidify the barrier rib.
[0011] As the binders burn away, the barrier rib contracts. In the
case of the PDP 100, the contracting main barrier ribs 104 tend to
transform into an "S" shape, bending toward a display area, whereas
the supporting barrier rib 105 is fixed to its position. Hence, a
portion of the contracted main barrier ribs 104 has a depressed
shape.
[0012] As a result, when stresses between the rear substrate 101
and the front substrate 107 reduce due to increased pressure, the
PDP 100 vibrates more, which produces more noise.
[0013] To prevent such a transformation in the barrier rib,
referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a dummy barrier rib 200 may be
formed at an edge of the main barrier ribs. The dummy barrier rib
200 includes straight-line portions 201, including discontinuous
straight lines, and ark-shaped portions 202, which are formed along
ends of the straight-line portions 201.
[0014] The dummy barrier rib 200 may prevent the barrier rib from
being depressed due to the contraction during baking. However,
upper ends of some of the ark-shape portions 202 may slant when the
barrier rib contracts. A gap g in the slanted upper end of the
ark-shaped portion 202 may be approximately 12 through 15
micrometers. Accordingly, a gap is created between the front
substrate and the barrier rib, which causes a PDP assembly to
vibrate, thereby producing noise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention provides a plasma display panel (PDP)
in which ends of barrier ribs are vertically and horizontally
symmetrical such that symmetric forces of the barrier ribs prevent
the barrier ribs from bending or slanting.
[0016] Additional features of the invention will be set forth in
the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from
the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
[0017] The present invention discloses a PDP including a first
substrate and a second substrate facing each other and including an
image display area and a non-display area arranged outside of the
image display area. A plurality of discharge electrodes are
arranged in the image display area to generate a discharge in a
discharge space between the first substrate and the second
substrate. A barrier rib includes main barrier ribs arranged in the
image display area to partition the discharge space and vertically
and horizontally symmetric dummy barrier ribs are arranged in the
non-display area and coupled with the main barrier ribs.
[0018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention, and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional
plasma display panel PDP.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a conventional dummy barrier
rib.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dummy barrier rib of
FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a PDP according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of barrier ribs of the PDP
of FIG. 4.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dummy barrier according to
a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dummy barrier according to
a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a dummy barrier according to
a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a dummy barrier according to
a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The invention is described more fully hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the
invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey
the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the
drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be
exaggerated for clarity.
[0030] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a
plasma display panel (PDP) 400 according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, the PDP 400 includes a front substrate
401 and a rear substrate 402 arranged substantially parallel to
each other. A frit glass may be applied along edges of the front
and rear substrates 401 and 402 to couple the substrates together
and seal a discharge space.
[0032] The front substrate 401 may be formed of a transparent
material such as, for example, soda lime glass. X and Y electrodes
403 and 404 extend in an X direction of the PDP 400 and are
alternately arranged on a lower surface of the front substrate 401
in a Y direction of the PDP 400. A pair of the X and Y electrodes
403 and 404 is included in each discharge cell.
[0033] The X electrode 403 includes a first transparent electrode
line 403a and a first bus electrode line 403b coupled with the
first transparent electrode line 403a. A plurality of first
protrusions 403c protrude from an inner wall of the first
transparent electrode line 403a toward the Y electrode 404.
[0034] The Y electrode 404 is substantially symmetrical to the X
electrode 403, and it includes a second transparent electrode line
404a and a second bus electrode line 404b coupled with the second
transparent electrode line 404a. A plurality of second protrusions
404c protrude from an inner wall of the second transparent
electrode line 404a toward the X electrode 403.
[0035] The first and second transparent electrode lines 403a and
404a are formed of transparent conductive films such as, for
example, indium tin oxide (ITO) films, to enhance an aperture rate
of the front substrate 401. The first and second bus electrode
lines 403b and 404b are formed of highly conductive metallic
material such as, for example, Ag paste or a chrome-copper-chrome
alloy, to reduce the line resistance of the first and second
transparent electrode lines 403a and 404a and improve electrical
conductivity.
[0036] A space between pairs of the X and Y electrodes 403 and 404
is a non-discharge area, which may include a black striped layer to
enhance contrast.
[0037] A front dielectric layer 405 covers the X and Y electrodes
403 and 404. The front dielectric layer 405 may be formed of glass
paste including various fillers, and it may be selectively printed
on a portion of the front substrate 401 where the X and Y
electrodes 403 and 404 are patterned. Alternatively, the front
dielectric layer 405 may be printed on the entire lower surface of
the front substrate 401, as shown in FIG. 4. A protective layer
406, such as an MgO layer, covers the front dielectric layer 405 to
protect the front dielectric layer 405 from damage and increase
secondary electron emission.
[0038] The rear substrate 402 may be formed of the same material as
the front substrate 401. Address electrodes 407 are arranged on the
rear substrate 402 in a direction crossing a direction in which the
X and Y electrodes 403 and 404 are arranged. A rear dielectric
layer 408 covers the address electrodes 407.
[0039] A plurality of main barrier ribs 409 are arranged between
the front and rear substrates 401 and 402 to partition the
discharge space into discharge cells. The main barrier ribs 409
include a plurality of first barrier ribs 409a, which are arranged
in a direction crossing a direction in which the address electrodes
407 are arranged, and a plurality of second barrier ribs 409b,
which are arranged substantially parallel to the address electrodes
407. Each first main barrier rib 409a is integrated into the second
main barrier ribs 409b and extends in a direction crossing a
direction in which adjacent pairs of the second main barrier ribs
409b are arranged, and the coupled first and second main barrier
ribs 409a and 409b form a matrix pattern.
[0040] Alternatively, the main barrier ribs 409 may be formed in,
for example, a meander pattern, a delta pattern, or a honeycomb
pattern. The discharge cells defined by the main barrier ribs 409
may be formed in various shapes, including other polygonal shapes
or in a substantially circular shape.
[0041] Additionally, a discharge gas such as Ne-Xe or He-Xe is
injected into the discharge cells.
[0042] R, G, and B phosphor layers 410, which are excited by
ultraviolet rays generated by the discharge gas to emit visible
light, are arranged in the discharge cells. The phosphor layers 410
may be coated on any region in the discharge cell. However, in the
present embodiment, the phosphor layers 410 are coated on inner
surfaces of the main barrier ribs 409 and on the rear dielectric
layer 408. The R, G, or B phosphor layer 410 is coated in each
discharge cell. For example, the red phosphor layer may be formed
of (Y,Gd)BO.sub.3:Eu.sup.+3, the green phosphor layer may be formed
of Zn.sub.2SiO.sub.4:Mn.sup.2+, and the blue phosphor layer may be
formed of BaMgAl.sub.10O.sub.17:Eu.sup.2+.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows discharge electrodes and barrier ribs arranged
on the front and rear substrates 401 and 402 of FIG. 4.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 5, the front and rear substrates 401 and
402 include an image display area Da, where an image is displayed,
and a non-display area NDa, which is arranged outside the display
area Da and includes terminals coupled with driving circuits.
[0045] In the display area Da, the X and Y electrodes 403 and 404
are alternately arranged extending along the X direction of the PDP
400, and the address electrodes 407 are arranged extending along
the Y direction of the PDP 400. Also, the main barrier ribs 409 are
arranged in the display area Da, and a pair of X and Y electrodes
403 and 404 and an address electrode 407 are arranged in each
discharge cell defined by the main barrier ribs 409.
[0046] Vertically and horizontally symmetric dummy barrier ribs 411
are arranged on outer walls of the main barrier ribs 409 to prevent
the main barrier ribs 409 from contracting and bending during
baking. The dummy barrier ribs 411 are integrally coupled with the
main barrier ribs 409. The structure of the dummy barrier ribs 411
will be described in detail below.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dummy barrier rib 600
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 6, the dummy barrier rib 600 includes
connection barrier ribs 610, which are coupled with the main
barrier ribs 409 of FIG. 4, and reinforcement barrier ribs 620,
which are arranged at edges of the connection barrier ribs 610.
[0049] The connection barrier ribs 610 include straight-line
portions 611 and openings 612 formed between the straight-line
portions 611. The straight-line portions 611 include first
straight-line portions 613, which are arranged in the X direction
of the PDP 400, and second straight-line portions 614, which are
arranged in the Y direction of the PDP 400. The first and second
straight-line portions 613 and 614 have different widths, cross
each other, and are coupled with each other. Additionally, the
first and second straight-line portions 613 and 614 may be
discontinuously or continuously arranged along the X and Y
directions of the PDP 400.
[0050] The openings 612 are formed between the first and second
straight-line portions 613 and 614, and they may have different
sizes. The openings 612 are substantially rectangular shaped
through-holes that may be discontinuously or continuously formed to
be separated from each other by predetermined intervals.
[0051] The reinforcement barrier ribs 620 are integrally coupled
with the connection barrier ribs 610. The reinforcement barrier
ribs 620 include first reinforcement portions 621, which are
coupled with the first straight-line portions 613, and second
reinforcement portions 622, which are coupled with the second
straight-line portions 614.
[0052] The first and second reinforcement portions 621 and 622 have
substantially the shape of a rectangular pillar. The first and
second reinforcement portions 621 and 622 protrude from edges of
the connection barrier ribs 610 and are separated from each other
by predetermined intervals along the X and Y directions of the PDP
400. Also, ends of the first and second reinforcement portions 621
and 622 are not connected to each other and they extend integrally
from the connection barrier ribs 610.
[0053] The reinforcement barrier ribs 620 are vertically and
horizontally symmetric to suppress an inward contractile force
during baking. In other words, the contractile force works on the
reinforcement barrier ribs 620 vertically and horizontally, whereas
it works only on a streamlined portion of a conventional ark-shaped
barrier rib. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the
reinforcement barrier ribs 620 from bending and to prevent upper
ends of the reinforcement barrier ribs 620 from slanting.
[0054] The relationship between a length L and a width W of each of
the reinforcement barrier ribs 620 may be 2W<L to better
suppress the contractile force.
[0055] A process for fabricating a barrier rib of the PDP 400
having this structure will now be described with reference to FIG.
4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.
[0056] The address electrodes 407 are patterned on the rear
substrate 402 and covered by the rear dielectric layer 408. Then, a
material for forming a barrier rib is applied on the rear
dielectric layer 408.
[0057] After coating a photoresist layer on the barrier rib forming
material, photomasks are arranged on an upper portion of the
photoresist layer to be exposed and developed.
[0058] Through an etching process, unnecessary portions of the
barrier rib forming material are removed, thereby forming a shape
of the main barrier ribs 409. Here, since the photoresist layer
still remains on upper surfaces of the main barrier ribs 409, it is
subsequently removed to complete the main barrier ribs 409. The
patterned main barrier ribs 409 are heated at about 450.degree. C.
or higher to burn impurities contained in the barrier rib forming
material and binders.
[0059] The dummy barrier ribs 600 may be simultaneously patterned
with the main barrier ribs 409.
[0060] To maintain their shape against the contractile force that
might otherwise bend or transform the barrier rib during baking,
the dummy barrier ribs 600 include the connection barrier ribs 610
and the reinforcement barrier ribs 620 protruding from the
connection barrier ribs 610.
[0061] Since the reinforcement barrier ribs 620 are supported by
the straight-line portions 611 of the connection barrier ribs 610
arranged inside the reinforcement barrier ribs 620, the
reinforcement barrier ribs 620 do not bend. Each straight-line
portion 611 receives a parallel force from other surrounding
straight-line portions 611.
[0062] FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 are perspective views of dummy
barrier ribs 700, 800, and 900, respectively, according to other
exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Only the features
of the dummy barrier ribs 700, 800, and 900 will be described
below.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 7, the dummy barrier rib 700 includes
connection barrier ribs 710 and reinforcement barrier ribs 720
arranged along edges of the connection barrier ribs 710.
[0064] The connection barrier ribs 710 include straight-line
portions 711 and openings 712 formed between the straight-line
portions 711. The straight-line portions 711 include first
straight-line portions 713 and second straight-line portions 714.
The second straight-line portions 714 are arranged in a direction
crossing a direction in which the first straight-line portions 713
are arranged. The first and second straight-line portions 713 and
714 form an assembly of discontinuous or continuous straight
lines.
[0065] Additionally, the reinforcement barrier ribs 720 are
arranged along the edges of the connection barrier ribs 710 and
include first reinforcement portions 721, which are coupled with
the first straight-line portions 713, and second reinforcement
portions 722, which are coupled with the second straight-line
portions 714. The cross-section of the first reinforcement portions
721 is substantially trapezoidal, and that of the second
reinforcement portions 722 is substantially rectangular.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 8, the dummy barrier rib 800 includes
connection barrier ribs 810 and reinforcement barrier ribs 820
arranged along edges of the connection barrier ribs 810. The
connection barrier ribs 810 include straight-line portions 811
including first and second straight-line portions 813 and 814 that
are discontinuously or continuously formed along vertical and
horizontal directions of a panel. Openings 812 are formed between
the first and second straight-line portions 813 and 814.
[0067] The reinforcement barrier ribs 820 include first
reinforcement portions 821, which are coupled with the first
straight-line portions 813, and second reinforcement portions 822,
which are coupled with the second straight-line portions 814. The
cross-section of the first and second reinforcement portions 821
and 822 is substantially rectangular. The first and second
reinforcement portions 821 and 822 are not separated by the same
interval. That is, the first reinforcement portions 821 are
separated from each other by wider intervals than those separating
the second reinforcement portions 822.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 9, the dummy barrier rib 900 includes
connection barrier ribs 910 and reinforcement barrier ribs 920
coupled with the connection barrier ribs 910. The connection
barrier ribs 910 include straight-line portions 911 including first
and second straight-line portions 913 and 914 that are
discontinuously or continuously formed along vertical and
horizontal directions of a panel and openings 912 formed between
the first and second straight-line portions 913 and 914.
[0069] The reinforcement barrier ribs 920 include first
reinforcement portions 921, which are integrally coupled with the
first straight-line portions 913, and second reinforcement portions
922, which are integrally coupled with the second straight-line
portions 914. The cross-sections of the first and second
reinforcement portions 921 and 922 are substantially rectangular.
The second reinforcement portions 922 are narrower than the first
reinforcement portions 921. Also, the second reinforcement portions
922 are separated from each other by narrower intervals than the
first reinforcement portions 921.
[0070] As described above, the dummy barrier ribs 700, 800, and 900
of FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, respectively, are coupled with the
main barrier ribs 409 and they may be arranged in various shapes.
Since the dummy barrier ribs 700, 800, and 900 are vertically and
horizontally symmetric, symmetric forces of the dummy barrier ribs
700, 800, and 900 prevent them from bending and prevent a portion
of upper ends of the dummy barrier rib 700, 800, or 900 from
slanting during baking.
[0071] As described above, a PDP for reducing noise according to
exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes a
vertically and horizontally symmetric dummy barrier rib arranged
along an edge of a substrate, thereby achieving the following
effects.
[0072] First, the dummy barrier rib is prevented from bending
inward due to a contractile force during a baking process. Thus, it
is possible to minimize noise generated when driving a PDP
assembly.
[0073] Second, since a barrier rib may be prevented from slanting
or transforming during baking, the barrier rib may be formed where
expected and the degree of adherence of the PDP assembly may be
significantly enhanced.
[0074] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variation can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *